Looking for a job in Bellingham? Local schools hiring positions with minimal requirements
Bellingham Public Schools are currently hiring for various positions, some of which do not require you to have a teaching degree or certification.
Bellingham Public Schools’ human resource department announced in a news release on Oct. 20 that the district is hoping to find qualified candidates for staff positions across the schools.
The schools are not having a severe shortage, according to Dana Smith, Bellingham Public School’s assistant director of communications, but the recent message to hire new positions “reflects our recognition that we also need to continue hiring great candidates year-round,” Smith wrote in an email.
According to Smith, the schools’ most urgent needs are to hire bus drivers, paraeducators, custodians and food service staff.
“We have also added more paraeducator positions this fall, and our move to year-round Promise Kindergarten also increased our need for additional paraeducators. Many of our new hires had previously been substitutes, and we need to replace them in the sub pool,” Smith wrote.
School job requirements
There are many job openings in the school district that do not require specialized teaching certifications or college degrees.
Bus drivers, custodians, paraeducators and food service staff positions do not require a degree or certification, and according to Smith, the Bellingham Public Schools are currently hiring for permanent and substitute positions in all of those areas.
Substitute teacher positions have more requirements.
Those applying for substitute positions must have a bachelor’s degree, pass background checks, and have a valid Washington state teaching certificate or substitute teaching certificate, according to Smith.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, but no state teaching certification, an emergency substitute certificate can be earned.
“We encourage candidates interested in becoming emergency certified to reach out to our Human Resources department,” Smith wrote in an email.
School job salaries
Pay and benefits vary depending on the position.
“Substitute paraeducator positions begin at $19 an hour, and substitute teachers earn $85 for a half day and $170 for a full day of subbing,” Smith wrote.
At Bellingham Public Schools, substitute teachers can also become eligible for benefits after working a certain number of hours in the school year.
A paraeducator job listing on the district’s website lists the position’s wage range as $18.24-$24.45.
A central kitchen lead job listing has a wage range of $26.42-$30.37.
“We encourage anyone interested in working for our district to visit bellinghamschools.org/jobs and check out the positions that might be of interest to them,” Smith wrote.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
